UConn holds off Villanova 20-15 in season opener

Updated 9:31 am, Friday, September 4, 2015

EAST HARTFORD, Conn. (AP) — UConn coach Bob Diaco said his team is learning to win, and it doesn't matter who that lesson comes against.

Bryant Shirreffs threw for 202 yards and two touchdowns in his first start and UConn held off Villanova from the championship subdivision 20-15 on Thursday night in the season opener for both teams.

It was a big win for the Huskies, who went 2-10 last season, Diaco's first at the helm.

"It's so good to feel a winning feeling based on the fact that you have made an investment," Diaco said. "Having the results payoff is awesome."

Tommy Myers had a 14-yard touchdown catch on UConn's opening drive and set up a touchdown on the first drive of the second half with a 69-yard catch and run.

Ron Johnson ran 23 times for 69 yards and a score for the Huskies. Arkeel Newsome took a middle-screen pass 27-yards for a touchdown with just under 5 minutes left that put UConn up 20-9.

"I got hit when I threw it and I was on the ground looking and he was doing his shifty thing," Shirreffs said. "He got in the end zone, so that made my day."

Shirreffs completed 10 of his 20 pass attempts, and ran 10 times for 33 yards.

Villanova' Jon Robertson, last season's offensive player of the year in the FCS, completed 17 of 32 passes for 153-yards and a touchdown. He also ran for 66 yards and another score. He turned the ball over twice, fumbling in the first quarter and throwing a third-quarter interception that ended a drive at the UConn 19-yard line.

The Wildcats, who were 11-3 a year ago, led 9-7 at the half and converted 9 of 17 third-down attempts, but came up short on a key fourth-and inches in the fourth quarter when Robertson bobbled the snap at the UConn 36.

"For us, it's a disappointing loss, because I think it's a game we could have won," said Villanova coach Andy Talley.

The Wildcats, who averaged 470 yards of offense a year ago, were held to just 303 on Thursday.

Villanova scored with just under 2 minutes left on a 3-yard run by Robertson.

Ron Johnson converted a key third-and-1 on the Husky's final drive and UConn ran out the clock.

"There's a lot of mentally tough guys now," Myers said. "Coach came in and rallied the troops at halftime and we were able to go back out and execute."